St. Tryphon Cathedral

The basics

Towering over St. Tryphon Square deep inside old Kotor, St. Tryphon draws visitors with its two baroque-style towers, viewing terrace, and ornamented 3-aisled interior. Signature sights include its fragmented 14th-century frescoes, elaborate altarpiece, and rich treasury, which houses the relics of 3rd-century St. Tryphon, Kotor’s patron saint.

Visitors admire the cathedral exterior before paying a fee to enter its vaulted interior. The cathedral is a favorite stop on private and group Kotor walking tours, which typically team an interior visit with other city landmarks like the 17th-century Clock Tower. If you want to combine the cathedral with a broader perspective on Kotor, consider a guided tour that includes food and wine tastings, lunch, or outings into the surrounding Lovćen National Park.

Things to know before you go

• Cathedral visitors are asked to dress respectfully by covering their shoulders and knees.

• St. Tryphon’s ground floor is wheelchair-accessible, but its treasury and terrace are not.

• Photography is allowed inside the cathedral.

How to get there

Public buses run to Kotor from Montenegrin cities like Podgorica, Budva, and Cetinje, as well as from Tivat Airport, although cabs and self-drive offer alternatives. Regular buses and day trips also run here from Dubrovnik. Once here, it’s a short walk to St. Tryphon: enter Kotor’s Sea Gate and turn right and right again to reach the church in about 3 minutes. Equally quick is via Kotor’s Gurdic Gate and along Ulica 2. Parking is available outside Kotor’s walls.

When to get there

The cathedral is typically open 9am–6pm daily. Still, it’s wise to verify the hours before visiting as they vary, and there may be restrictions during Sunday morning masses or other services. If you’re visiting independently, aim to arrive early to beat the usual late-morning crowds, especially in summer. If you’re here in early February, consider checking the timings for any annual St. Tryphon’s Day festivities at the cathedral.

What to see at St. Tryphon Cathedral

The cathedral interior is packed with treasures. Don’t miss the gold altarpiece– carved by Kotor’s goldsmiths in the 15th century–and the 14th-century red-stone ciborium (cup) above it. Other highlights await in the upstairs treasury, including bodily relics of St. Tryphon (hidden in a silver casket) and the outdoor terrace, which commands fantastic views over the square.